Turkey Stampede

Michiana's Thanksgiving Tradition is a community event to be shared with loved ones - family & friends - Turkey Stampede! Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to spend together - a time of gratitude for all we have!

Packet Pickup & Registration

Pickup your race packet before race day - you have double the packet pickup options this year! - locations and dates:

• SOUTH BEND - Tuesday, November 25 from 6:00am - 9:00am at Howard Park, 219 S St Louis Blvd
• MISHAWAKA - Tuesday, November 25 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Fleet Feet Mishawaka, 3522 Grape Road
• GOSHEN - Wednesday, November 26 from 6:00am - 9:00am at  TBD
• ELKHART - Wednesday, November 26 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at  Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center, 200 East Jackson

Convenient locations in South Bend, Mishawaka, Goshen, and Elkhart - plan on picking up your packet before race day at a location near you.

*Shirt order goes in on November 11. We will have a few extra 2024 shirts for sale on a first come, first serve basis for $15.

Race Day

Join your community for Michiana's Thanksgiving Tradition - bring your dog, your friends, and your family to do something good for others. Fresh air and exercise help you earn your second slice of pie!

Go directly to your starting corral by 8:00am on race day. Corrals are based on the event you’re participating in - see below.

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

Parking

Please note parking lots adjacent to your starting corral - plan on parking in one of these lots:
(interactive parking map - includes corrals, race routes, parking, mile markers, and start-finish line)

• 10K runners
  • Fifth Third Bank (400 N Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Salvation Army (300 N Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • KeyBank (101 S Main St Fl 2nd, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Centier Bank (100 S Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • The Vine (214 S Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • First State Bank (200 Nibco Pkwy, Elkhart, IN 46516)
• 5K runners
  • Star Martial Arts (123 N Elkhart Avenue)
  • Elmer’s Body Shop (320 E Lexington Avenue)
  • Public Parking (200 N Clark Street)
  • Brass Elk (333 Nibco Parkway)
• 5K walkers
  • INOVA (358 S Elkhart Avenue)
  • Principle Roofing (521 E Lexington Avenue)
  • Exclusive Customs (126 S Elkhart Avenue)
• 1-Mile walkers
  • Principle Roofing (318 S Elkhart Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Volcano Pizza (126 Easy Shopping Pl, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Hacienda (186 Easy Shopping Pl, Elkhart, IN 46516)
  • Victory Construction (150 Easy Shopping Pl, Elkhart, IN 46516)

Program one of these parking lots into your GPS for race day. 
Go directly to your parking lot, and go directly to your corral.

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

Corrals

Corrals are designated starting area for your race group. This helps avoid tripping hazards at the start line and on the course, and alleviates potential congestion within that first mile. It spreads out runners to make the start as safe and smooth as possible, and helps avoid confusion on race day.

Where each corral area starts:

• 10K runners start at Nibco Parkway
• 5K runners start at Clark Street
• 5K walkers start at Pacific Street
• 1-Mile walkers start at Elkhart Avenue

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

Race Day Schedule

• 6:30am      Doors open to Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center
  
• 8:00am      Gather in your corral along Jackson (from river to train tracks)
  
  • 8:10am      10K lines up in 1st corral on Jackson
    
  • 8:10am      5K runners line up in 2nd corral on Jackson
    
  • 8:10am      5K walkers line up in 3rd corral on Jackson
    
  • 8:10am      1-Mile lines up in 4th corral on Jackson
    
• 8:20am      Welcome and Prayer
  
• 8:22am      Course Comments and Instructions
  
• 8:30am      10K Starts (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
  
  • 8:34am      Turkey Rabbit is released with a 45 second head start
    
• 8:35am      5K Runners (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
  
• 8:40am      5K Walkers (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
  
• 8:45am      1-Mile Walk lead by Gobbles the Turkey (Watch Monster Message for race countdown)
  

Restrooms - Restrooms and handwashing stations are available near each starting corral to make it more convenient for you to go directly to your corral and cut down on wait times.

Water and refreshments - Water and refreshments will be served at the finish line of the event - enjoy some water, bananas, and a granola bar.

Finisher medal - Everyone receives a finisher medal - medals will be on display for pickup at the finish of the race.

Awards ceremony - There is no official awards ceremony, we know people want to leave and get back to their holiday asap. We do offer the coveted gravy boat awards, and a free entries into 2026 race (transferrable), for the top three overall men and women that finish the 5K Run and 10K Run. Come to the wagon up by the timing trailer by the finish line, and we will take care of you!

Results - Results will be on the Monster Message Jumbotron and posted immediately online at Runsignup.com, EpicRaceTiming.com, and later on StoneSoupPromotions.com for timed 10K Run and 5K Run.

Catch the Turkey! - $25 up for grabs!! The first male and female in the 5K Run to Catch the Turkey! earns $25 cash. (Not a real turkey, we have a human dressed up as a turkey--honor system here).

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

Registration

• Pricing includes timed race entry fee for 10K Run and 5K Run; 5K Walk and 1-Mile Walk are untimed, finisher medals are available for all who want them, as well as post race refreshments.
• Custom shirts are optional, and an additional $15.

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

Groups

We LOVE groups! 

• Groups of people - 3 or more - can register all at once.
  
  • Create a group name.
  • One person can pick up the entire package of bibs/shirts/ etc.
  • Register by Tuesday, November 18, 2025 so that we have time to put the group bundles together.
• NOTE: Give your group a name in order for our system to pull your people together. Our system doesn't recognize you as a group when you just sign up multiple people.

⌚ FIND your corral by 8:00am on race day

FAQ

• Costumes - we encourage costumes, hats, and celebratory elements at the event.
• Strollers - strollers are allowed on the course. Be aware of those around you.
  • Please start with people at your pace 
• Dogs - dogs are allowed on the course, collars and leash are required.
  • Pick up after your dog - we all thank you!!
  • Up-to-date on their shots
  • Trained dogs who are comfortable in crowds (not a puppy training event)
  • Lead lines need to not impede other runners
  • Help us follow these guidelines so that we can continue to allow dogs at the event
  • Let's have fun!! 🦮🐶